High Witch Box Set

by Mona Hanna

  Brayden went and knelt next to Ariel, putting his arm around her.

  The sight warmed Alexandra’s heart. Maybe this wasn’t a coincidence. Maybe so much of what was happening was meant to be. Alexandra was scared. But she had hope.

  ***

  “I need to talk to you.”

  Hallie turned to Sean, sitting beside her on the settee. “Alright,” she said. “Here?”

  “No, let’s go outside,” Sean said. He took Hallie’s hand and they both stood. Sean led her towards the front door, then opened it, stepped outside, and shut the door behind them.

  “Sean, I know you’re upset—”

  Hallie’s words were cut off as Sean enveloped her in a hug. He held her close, his strong arms around her, Hallie’s head resting against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled close. Neither of them spoke for a long time.

  “I’m so worried,” Sean said softly. “I’m so scared for you.”

  “Don’t be frightened.”

  “How can you say that?” Sean said, stepping back slightly and looking down at her. “Why aren’t you more concerned?”

  “I am! Sean, I am. You know how worried I get. You know how concerned I was when me and Ariel first had the vision concerning the prophecy. I just… I don’t know how to explain it. Hearing Ariel talk about the vision she just had, about all of the other witches. Hearing her talk about how she was spoken to, comforted. It makes me… less worried. I’m still frightened, but I trust Ariel. If she thinks this is right, then I guess I think so too. Besides, there’s something else…”

  “What?”

  Hallie hesitated for a moment. She rubbed her forehead. “The way I was taunted when I was younger for being a witch. The way I felt I had to hide it my whole life—not just because I didn’t use to understand or be able to control my power, but because being a witch is often viewed as being bad by so many people. As if we’re abnormal, wrong, strange. I don’t want this to go on forever. If we can help other witches—Sean, this spell means helping all of the witches in the world! Do you know how special that is? To help women who might be trapped, or tormented, or hurt… We have to do this. I was mortified when we first had glimpses of the prophecy, but now that we know what it is… I don’t know. I’m still scared, but I think this needs to happen. Do you understand? Remember how you always used to tell me to be strong, that I am strong? Can you be strong in this too?”

  Sean half smiled at her words. “So the tables have turned,” he said, bringing Hallie into the hug again. He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be with you no matter what,” he whispered. “In everything. My love. Be safe. Always come back to me.”

  “I’m not leaving you,” Hallie said, looking at him again. “I will never leave you.”

  Sean gently placed his hand on the side of her face, then leaned his head down and kissed her. “Always come back to me.”

  ***

  Alexandra stood in her kitchen, wanting some space from the others. It had been decided the spell would be cast tomorrow morning. Tomorrow! Everything would change then. Everything.

  Julia sat at the table, eating a bowl of mashed fruit. Alexandra went and sat also, wondering how she was going to explain all this to her family. She wanted to leave them out of it, but she could never keep anything from her sister. Nina always knew when something was bothering her. Besides, Alexandra had to convince her employer to let her have some time off from work, and Nina would wonder why she wasn’t taking care of Julia those days. Alexandra just couldn’t face her job with all of this going on. She’d go back soon enough but just needed some time.

  “Plums, my favorite,” someone said at the door.

  Alexandra looked up to see Cameron standing there. Her heart leapt in her chest. Stop it! she scolded herself. She had to be sensible.

  Julia banged her spoon against her bowl, then went back to smearing mushy plums all over her cheeks.

  Cameron smiled, then went and sat across from Alexandra. “Are you alright?”

  Alexandra nodded. “I’m okay. Do you want something to eat or drink?”

  “No, I’m fine,” Cameron said. “Besides, I should be taking care of you, not the other way around. I want to be here for you. You’ll be facing a lot, dealing with a lot. I guess you’ve always had to deal with so much on your own, but I want to make up for that. So I’ll be your dutiful servant from now on. Anything you need, I’ll get for you.”

  Alexandra smiled, wondering how she could use that to her advantage. She shook the idea out of her head. “I guess we’ll see about that,” she said. “I don’t remember you being much of a cook. Or being able to clean. Or… what can you do, exactly? I mean, apart from turning into cats.”

  Cameron raised an eyebrow at her, and Alexandra suppressed a giggle. “Did you hear that, Julia? Your Mama doesn’t think I’m very useful,” Cameron said. “Well, I’ve learned a thing or two in the last couple of years. Just ask my cat, Scruffy. She thinks I’m wonderful.”

  “I can’t believe you own a cat!” Alexandra burst out. “I can’t believe you’d be so nurturing.”

  She meant it as a joke, but Cameron’s expression became serious. Alexandra bit her lip, realizing she half meant the comment. Her heart fell as she found she’d hurt him. It wasn’t her intention.

  “Tell me about Scruffy,” she said.

  Cameron’s eyes lit up. “She’s a dear. She showed up at my back door one day, meowing so loudly I’m surprised half the neighbors didn’t hear. She was skin and bones, her fur a mess, full of fleas, and she had a couple of wounds. I took her to a man in town who helps heal animals, and he cleaned up and healed the wounds. He told me she’s a girl, and that he guessed she was around two years old. One traumatic bath later and she was mine—she sat down in front of the fire and barely moved for days. I fed and watched her, and a few months later, I now have a constant companion. She’ll be alright with my neighbor feeding her, but she’ll probably complain for days when I return. She doesn’t like being alone.”

  Cameron suddenly groaned, rubbing his forehead. “Heavens, I’ve become a cat person.”

  Alexandra burst out laughing. “Serves you right.” She grinned at him, and he gazed at her fondly. Alexandra felt herself blush and hurriedly looked away.

  “Cat,” Julia said, the food from her bowl now all over the front of her dress.

  Alexandra smiled, picked up a cloth from the table, and then poured a little water from a jug onto it to clean her daughter.

  Cameron leaned his head against his hand, watching them closely. “You’re so good with her,” he said softly. “I admire you so much.”

  “I—I’m just doing what anyone would do,” Alexandra stammered, embarrassed. “It’s not…”

  “You’re amazing,” Cameron said.

  Alexandra looked at him. He was staring at her intently. She nearly couldn’t breathe.

  “Tell me, what would it take to convince you that I can be nurturing? That I will do anything for you? That I have changed?”

  Alexandra stood when Cameron rose from his chair, moved over towards them, and took the cloth from her hand. He began to gently clean Julia, working softly, quietly. Alexandra had to look away, tears filling her eyes. Seeing them together, father and daughter. The way she’d always hoped. The way she’d always dreamed.

  “All clean,” Cameron said. “Do you want to go play with Erica again?”

  “Eica,” Julia said, holding her arms out for Cameron to help her off the chair.

  Cameron gently lifted her up and then placed her on the ground, and Julia walked out of the room.

  Alexandra wiped her tears from her eyes. She looked at Cameron, and he gazed back. They just stood there quietly for a while. There was so much she wanted to say to him. Don’t hurt me. Don’t leave me. But go now if you’re going to leave in the end.

  But she said nothing. All she could do was look at him.

  Then, very slowly, he reached for her.

  He put his hand
s on either side of her face. It was all Alexandra could do to stay upright, her legs becoming shaky. She looked into his dark eyes, knowing she should move away but being unable to. All she could do was stand there, gazing at him, desperately wanting him to move closer but also petrified that he would.

  He moistened his lips. He kept staring into her eyes, then, so very, very slowly, he leaned his head closer. Alexandra took in her breath, then closed her eyes as his lips were almost upon hers.

  Then she felt it. The softest, most gentle kiss of her life. Every inch of her came to life as Cameron’s lips moved against hers. She reached out and placed her hands on his sides. She was about to melt into him, move closer to him, when he broke the kiss. She nearly whimpered at the loss of contact.

  “Just a taste for now,” he whispered, looking into her eyes. “I know we have to take things slowly. But if you want more, you only need ask. I’ll give you anything you want.”

  He looked at her a moment longer, then stepped back, moving his hands away. It took all of Alexandra’s willpower not to reach out for him, drag him to her, kiss him intensely. But she remained still, as did he. They did nothing but stare at each other for several moments.

  Then they flew into each other’s arms.

  Chapter 16

  Cameron wrapped his arms tightly around Alexandra and brought his lips to hers, kissing her hard. She clung to him, and he delighted in her mouth opening and her tongue moving against his. They kept kissing, Alexandra making excited little sounds, Cameron trying to control himself so as not to lean her down on the table and explore her body. He was vaguely aware of people in the other room but just wanted to be there in the moment, kissing the woman he was so enamoured with. He held her even tighter, his arms around her slender waist.

  Suddenly she broke the kiss. “W-we shouldn’t…” she stammered.

  “I know. Come here,” Cameron said, and pressed his mouth against hers again. He moved them until her back was against the wall, and then he began kissing her neck.

  “It feels so good…” she murmured.

  Cameron groaned, knowing he’d have to stop soon or he wouldn’t be able to. He reluctantly stopped kissing her, resting his forehead against her shoulder. “Oh how I want to take you to your bedroom,” he whispered.

  She moaned in his arms, her hands in his hair. She moved them to his shoulders, then gently pushed him back a little. “We…” She shut her eyes for a moment. “We have to go back and join the others.”

  “I’m in no position to join the others,” Cameron said, looking into her eyes.

  Alexandra smiled. “Oh how I missed you,” she said quietly. She gently kissed him, placing her hands on his face.

  He sighed deeply. “I missed you too.”

  She looked at him, kissed him gently once more, then stepped out of his embrace and walked towards the door. “Join us when you’re ready,” she said, looking over her shoulder. She smiled. “I imagine you’ll be a while.”

  She left the room. Cameron gazed at the spot where she had been. Damn, she’s right. He went and sat, leaning his head against his hands. There they were again. Back where it all started. Back where Julia had come from. He started it—he wanted it. But what was he getting himself into? Was it right? Were they ready?

  Then he took a deep breath, knowing with every part of him that he was meant to be with her. He just had to convince her. She’d kissed him—she wanted him. But did she want his heart? Did she want the life he wanted to give her?

  He’d do anything he could to convince her. If they lived through the coming disaster, that was…

  ***

  It was the morning of the spell.

  Ariel lay in bed with Brayden and Erica, in the spare bedroom of Alexandra’s home. The group had discussed things yesterday for quite a while, and then after lunch, everyone went their separate ways so they could all rest before this morning. Ariel had spoken to Hallie, and although Hallie seemed worried, she said she was ready. Hallie, Sean, Raven, and Cameron had gone back to the inn. Cameron seemed especially reluctant to leave, Ariel thought with a smile, but Alexandra told him to go and rest. Ariel wondered if something was going on between those two. They’d kept glancing at each other while the group was talking. It made Ariel feel happy.

  “Morning,” Brayden said with a croaky voice.

  Ariel turned her head and looked at him. She smiled at her husband’s dishevelled appearance. Erica kicked her legs in bed between them.

  “Morning, my love,” Ariel said softly.

  Brayden rested his head on his hand, his elbow leaning on the pillow. “Are you ready? Do you think things will go alright?”

  Ariel shrugged. “I’m ready, but I have no idea how things will go. No one does, really. Raven explained how he thought the spell should be cast, but it’s never been done before, obviously. We can only see how it works when it happens. I’m frightened but kind of excited at the same time. We’ll be helping all those witches, but the darkness… I guess it doesn’t seem real yet. I—I don’t know what to think about it.”

  The two lay in silence for a while, and then Brayden abruptly got out of bed. “Come on, let’s get moving. The sooner this is done, the better. The anxiety of waiting for it is horrible. Don’t you think?”

  Ariel nodded. “Yes, I know.” She sat up and gathered Erica in her arms. “Are you hungry my darling?”

  Erica yawned, and Ariel got out of bed to change her. When she was done, she sat and nursed Erica. Ariel enjoyed the bond she felt with her daughter when she fed her.

  Brayden finished getting ready, then sat beside her. “Baby’s first big spell.”

  Ariel looked at him. “Well, she did cast some pretty big spells when she was in the womb.”

  Brayden grinned. “Including saving her mother’s life,” he said, rubbing Ariel’s back. “It’s amazing what she can do. Just like you.”

  Ariel blushed. “She is just like me. She’s my angel. I can’t wait to see her grow up.”

  Brayden kissed Ariel on the cheek. “Me either.”

  Ariel thought fondly of the vision she had had before Erica was born. Where she had seen Erica when she was six years old, talking about her birthday and what her Mama and Papa were going to give her. Erica had looked so beautiful, the spitting image of Brayden, with lovely light brown hair and blue eyes. Ariel knew her family was going to be alright—they had to be. Otherwise how could the vision come true? She believed in her visions with all of her heart.

  But would they lose anyone else?

  ***

  They all stood in a field.

  The sun was bright in the sky.

  A light breeze blew about them, rustling in the trees at the edges of the field, moving their hair around.

  Fluffy white clouds floated by.

  It was a pleasant day in the height of spring.

  And the most important day of all of their lives.

  Ariel stood in the center of the field, holding Erica in her arms. Hallie stood in front of her, holding Julia. The children seemed oblivious to the seriousness of the situation. Brayden, Sean, Raven, Alexandra, and Cameron stood nearby, watching, a bag of supplies beside them.

  They were about to begin.

  Ariel sat cross legged on the ground and gently placed Erica near her. Hallie sat across from Ariel and placed Julia across from Erica. Hallie took Julia and Erica’s tiny hands; Ariel did the same. The four High Witches were joined in a circle.

  Immediately the breeze around them grew stronger.

  Then the voice came.

  “You will not cast the spell!”

  Ariel looked around her wildly, and saw Christopher standing several paces away. The other two men were beside him. All three vanished on the spot, then reappeared immediately next to the circle of witches. To Ariel’s horror, one grabbed Julia while Christopher picked up Erica.

  “Release my child!” Ariel screamed, terror running through her at the thought of the men disappearing with the children. She stood and
thrust out her hands, using her magic to freeze Christopher to the spot. “Just try to leave,” she seethed. Ariel looked over and saw Hallie had her arms out, bright white light shooting from her hands and tightly circling the other man and Julia.

  Alexandra ran towards them, pulled Julia out of his grasp, and held her daughter tightly to her chest. “You beast!” Alexandra screamed, her eyes wide and her body trembling. Cameron stood behind Alexandra, his hands on her shoulders.

  Brayden and Sean ran to Christopher, and Brayden took Erica from his arms. Brayden handed Erica to Sean, shaking, and then he punched Christopher full in the face. “Touch my daughter again and I’ll kill you,” Brayden hissed, while Christopher stumbled backward.

  “You can’t cast the spell—you just can’t!” Christopher said, rubbing his cheek.

  Raven stood separate from everyone. He slowly began to approach the group. “You’re wrong,” he called out to the three villainous men. “You’ve always been wrong.”

  “What’s happened to you!” Christopher screamed. “You were one of us! What would your father think? He passed down this task to you, on his death bed. You’re supposed to prevent the prophecy from happening. This is your life! Don’t turn your back on what you know is right!”

  “What if we were wrong all these years!” Raven yelled. “The prophecy doesn’t say they shouldn’t cast the spell—it just says there will be dark consequences. What if this darkness is something we can’t escape? What if it needs to happen? These women are good—I believe in them, and I don’t believe in anything you have to say. You need to stop.”

  “Join us, Raven,” Christopher said. “We can stop them. Remember our plans. Remember what you need to do.”

  “No. I’ll never be on your side again. We were going to separate a child from her mother! And today—were you just going to take the children away? Forever? Even though on some level you must have known it would be futile, you still came here, trying to steal the children. The High Witches could kill you three in an instant! You’d rather die trying to stop the spell, then step back and think you might be wrong?”